GB2480120A

GB2480120A - Clips for hand tools mounted on rails

Info

Publication number: GB2480120A
Application number: GB201021088A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jui-Chien Kao
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-05-04
Filing date: 2010-12-13
Publication date: 2011-11-09
Also published as: GB2480059A; GB2480059B; GB201021088D0; GB2480120A8; GB201007367D0

Abstract

A tool rack is formed of multiple tool shaft clips 20A slidably clamped 21A to a rail 12A formed on a back board 10A. Each clip 20A includes a tubular element 22A with a C shaped cross section having the opening 221A at the point furthest from the rail through which the shaft 41A of a tool can pass. At each side of the opening is a guiding tab 222A. The rail may be attached to a panel by hanging hooks 30A which attach to the back board 10A (see figs 13). The guiding tabs may attach to surrounding reinforcing members 224A and 223A. A supporting strut 225A can attach between the tubular element 22A and the clamping portion 21A of the clip 20A, this strut may additionally extend between the tubular element 22A and the reinforcing members 224A (see figs 12). There may be channels 224 or 2212B on the clip 20A to allow the arms of the C shaped tubular element 22A to flex (see figs 7 and 14).

Description

HAND TOOLRACK

The present invention is a divisional application of application No. GB 1007367.4 filed on 4 May, 2010.

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a tool rack, and more particularly to a hand tool rack that can be mounted on a wall easily and a distance between two adjacent hand tools can be adjusted.

2. Description of the Prior Art

A conventional hand tool rack is suspended on a wall, so that hand tools can be organized to facilitate work efficiency and prevent loss of tools. The conventional hand tool rack is provided with an elongated rack adapted for connection to a wall and multiple clamping elements firmly formed on the elongated rack. Each clamping element defines a through hole to hold a shank of the hand tool.

However, the clamping elements are firmly mounted on the rack and cannot be moved to maximize utility of available space on the rack and when the rack is mounted on the wall, oniy limited space is available for inserting hand tools into the through holes in the clamping elements.

The main objective of the present invention is to provide a hand tool rack that can be mounted on a wall easily and a distance between two adjacent hand tools can be adjusted.

The hand tool rack in accordance with the present invention has an elongated base bracket and multiple clamping elements. The base bracket has a baseboard and a rail bracket. The rail bracket is longitudinally formed on and protrudes from the baseboard. The clamping elements are movably mounted on the rail bracket of the base bracket and each clamping element has a clamping arm and a tool mount. The clamping arm is mounted slidably and clamps on the $ rail bracket and has an upper holder and a lower holder. The tool mount is formed on and protrudes from the clamping arm and has a tool hole, a mounting slit and two recesses. The tool hole is formed through an upper surface and a lower surface of the tool mount. The mounting slit is formed through the upper surface, a front surface and the lower surface of the tool mount and communicates with the tool hole. The recesses are respectively formed in the sidewalls of the tool mount.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a hand tool rack in accordance with the present invention, showing hand tools clamped by the rack in phantom lines; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a clamping element ofthehandtool rack inFig. 1; Fig. 3 is an operational perspective rear view of a base bracket of the hand tool rack in Fig. I mounted on a wall; Fig. 4A shows operational side views in partial section of the clamping element of the hand tool rack in Fig. 1. showing removal of the hand tool from the clamping element; Fig, 4B is an enlarged side view in partial section of the clamping element in Fig. 4A; Fig. 5A is a perspective view of the hand tool rack in Fig. I mounted on a wall by threaded bolts; Fig. 5B is an enlarged perspective view of the hand tool rack in fig. 5A; Fig. 6 shows operational perspective views of a portion of the hand tool rack in Fig. I,showing insertion of the hand tool in the clamping element; Fig. 7 is operational top views in partial section showing insertion of the hand tool in the clamping element in Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the hand tool rack in accordance with the present invention, showing hand tools clamped by the rack in phantom lines; Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a hanging board with two hand tool racks in Fig. 8; Fig. 9A is an enlarged exploded perspective view of the hanging board with one of the hand tool racks in Fig. 9; Fig. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of the second embodiment of tool mount of the hand tool rack in Fig. 8; Fig. 11 is operational perspective views of the hand tool rack in Fig. 8; Fig. 12 is operational top views in partial section of the hand tool rack in Fig. 8; Fig. 13 is an operational side view in partial section of the hanging hoard with the hand tool racks in Fig. 9; and Fig. I 3A is an enlarged side view in partial section of the hand tool rack in Fig. 8; Fig. 14 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a tool mount in accordance with the present invention: Fig. 15 is operational top views in partial section of the tool mount in Fig. 14;and Fig. 16 is operational perspective views of a tool suspension assembly with the tool mounts in Fig. 14.

With reference to Figs. 1 to 4B, a first embodiment of a hand tool rack in accordance with the present invention for holding hand tools (40) has an elongated base bracket (10), multiple clamping elements (20) and two hangers (30).

The base bracket (10) may be hung on a surface such as a wall or a tool cart and has a baseboard (II) and a rail bracket (12).

The baseboard (11) may be elongated and has a front surface, a rear surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, two ends and two bolt holes (111). The bolt holes (111) are respectively formed through the surfaces of the baseboard (11) near the ends of the baseboard (11).

The rail bracket (12) is longitudinally formed on and protrudes from the front surface of the baseboard (1 1) and has an upper rail (121), a lower rail (122) and a channel (123). The upper rail (121) is longitudinally formed on and protrudes from the front surface of the baseboard (11) near the bolt holes (Ill).

The lower rail (122) is longitudinally formed on and protrudes from the front surface of the baseboard (11) and is parallel to the upper rail (121). The channel (123) is formed in the rail bracket (12) between the rails (121, 122) and the front surface of the baseboard (11) to allow elastic deformation of the rails (121, 122) of the rail bracket (12).

With further reference to Fig. 2, the clamping elements (20) are movably mounted on the rail bracket (12) of the base bracket (10) and each clamping element (20) is hollow and has a rear end, a front end, a clamping arm (21) and a tool mount (22).

The clamping arm (21) is formed on the rear end of the clamping element (20), is mounted slidably and clamps on the rail bracket (12) of the base bracket (10) and has an upper holder (211) and a lower holder (212). The holders (211,212) are respectively clamped on the rails (121, 122) of the rail bracket (12) and each holder (211,212) may be a hook or a cylinder to clamp on or mount in the rails (121, 122) ofthe rail bracket (12).

The tool mount (22) is formed on the front end of the clamping element (20), is formed on and protrudes from the clamping arm (21) for holding hand tools (40) and has an upper surface, a lower surface, a front surface, two sidewalls, a tool hole (221), a mounting slit (222), a guiding face (223) and two recesses (224).

The tool hole (221) may be circular or U shaped, is formed through the upper surface and the lower surface of the tool mount (22) near the front surface.

The mounting slit (222) is formed through the upper surface, the front surface and the lower surface of the tool mount (22) and communicates with the tool hole (221).

The guiding face (223) is formed on the front surface of the tool mount (22) to guide and aid mounting of the hand tools (40) in the tool hole (221) via the mounting slit (222).

The recesses (224) may be arc shaped and are respectively formed in the side walls of the tool mount (22) to allow elastic deformation of the tool mount (22). With reference to Fig. 7, the minimum distance between the recess (224) and the tool hole (221) is A, the minimum distance between the sidewall of the tool mount (22) and the mounting slit (224) is B and A is smaller than B, to allow elastic deformation of the mounting slit (222) of the tool mount (22).

With reference to Figs. 1, 3 and 4B, the hangers (30) are movably mounted on the base bracket (10) and each hanger (30) has a body (31), two mounting arms (32) and a hanging arm (33). The body (31) may be a panel and has a front side and a rear side. The mounting anns (32) are fonned on and protrude from the front side of body (31) and are clamped on the top edge and the bottom edge of the baseboard (11). The hanging arm (33) is formed on and protrudes from the rear side of the body (31) for hanging on a wall.

With reference to Figs. 3, 5A and 5B, the base bracket (10) of the hand tool rack can be mounted on a wall by the hanging arms (33) of the hangers (30) for clamping hand tools (40). Furthermore, bolts are mounted through the bolt holes (111) of the baseboard (11) and fastened with nuts after the base bracket (10) of the hand tool rack has been mounted on the wall by the hangers (30), such that the base bracket (10) can be securely mounted on the wall.

With reference to Figs. 1, 6, and 8, each clamping element (20) can be moved to change a position relative to the base bracket (10) with the clamping arm (21) of the clamping element (20) being slid relative to the rails (121, 122) of the rail bracket (12).

With reference to Fig. 7, the clamping element (20) may undergo elastic deformation when the hand tool (40) is mounted into the tool hole (221) via the mounting slit (222) to clamp the shank (41) of the hand tool (40) securely in the tool hole (221).

With further reference to Figs. 1 and 7, each clamping element (20) can be moved relative to the baseboard (11) by the clamping arm (21) clamping on the nil bracket (12). Then. the distance between two adjacent clamping elements (20) can be adjusted to mount different kinds of hand tools (40).

Furthermore, a minithum distance between the recess (224) and the tool hole (221) is smaller than a minimum distance between the sidewall of the tool mount (22) and the mounting slit (224), to allow elastic deformation of the mounting slit (222) of the tool mount (22).

WithreferencetoFigs. 8to lOand l4to 16,asecondandathird embodiments of the hand tool rack in accordance with the present invention may be hung on a hanging panel or a wall and comprises a base (IOA), multiple tool holders (20A,20B) and two hanging elements (30A).

The base (I OA) is elongated and comprises a back board (I lÀ) and a rail (l2A). The back board (I 1A) has a top edge, a bottom edge, a front side, a rear side and two hanging holes (11 1A). The hanging holes (11 lA) are defined through the back board (11 A) respectively near two ends of the back board (1 1A).

The rail (12A) is elongated and is longitudinally formed on and protrudes from the front side of the back board (I IA).

With reference further to Fig. 13A, the rail (12A) may comprise two rail elements separately mounted on and protruding from the front side of the back board (I lÀ). The rail elements each have a T-shaped cross section to define a rail channel (l2IA,122A) opposite to each other. The rail elements are separated from each other, so a guiding channel (l23A) is defined between the rail elements to make the rail elements being resilient.

With reference to Figs. 8, 10 and 14. the tool holders (20A.20B) are slidably mounted on the rail (12A) on the base (bA), and each tool holder (20A,20B) has a clamp (21A.21B), a tool mount (22A22B). two oblique guiding tabs (222A,222B) and two lateral tabs (223A.223B). The clamp (2lA21B) is mounted slidablv on the rail (12A) on the base (1OA) and has two rail hooks (211 A,2 1 2A) formed respectively on the top and bottom of the clamp (21 A,2 I B) and respectively held slidably in the rail channels (121A,122A).

The tool mount (22A,22B) is tubular, is connected to the clamp (21A,21B) and has a body having Cshaped cross section, a first part and at least one second part. With the Cshaped cross section, an opening (221A,221B) is defined in a side of the tool mount (22A.22B) opposite to the clamp (21A,22B), The at least one second part has a thickness smaller than that of the first part to make the tool mount (22A,22B) being resilient and easily expandable.

The tool mount (22A,22B) has two second parts formed respectively at the sides of the opening (221A,221B), In the second embodiment as shown in Figs. 10 and 12. the tool mount (22A) has two second parts formed respectively at the sides of the opening (221A). In the third embodiment, with reference to Figs. 14 and 15, the tool mount (22B) has two recesses (2212B) defined longitudinally in an inner surface of the tool mount (22B) to define two second parts on the tool mount (22B) respectively at positions in which the recesses (2212B) are defined.

The oblique guiding tabs (222A.222B) are respectively and obliquely formed on and protrude outward from two sides of the opening (221A.221B) of the tool mount (22A.22B).

The lateral tabs (223A,223B) are respectively connected to the oblique guiding tabs (222A,222B) and are parallel with the back board (I 1A) of the base (bA).

In the second embodiment, each tool holder (20A) may further have two connectini tabs (224A) and a reinforced tab (225A). The connecting tabs (224A) are respectively connected to the lateral tabs (223A) and to the clamp (2 lÀ) of the tool holder (20A). The reinforced tab (225A) is laterally formed between and connected to middle portions of the clamp (2 lÀ), the tool mount (22A) and the connecting tabs (224A). With the arrangement of the reinforced tab (225A), the structural strength of the tool holder (20A) is enhanced. With the arrangement of the connecting tabs (224A) and the reinforced tab (225A), the tool mount (22A) is connected to the clamp (2 lA).

With reference to Figs. 14 to 16, in the third embodiment, each tool holder (22B) further has two connecting tabs (224B) mounted between the tool mount (22B) and the clamp (21B) of the tool holder (20B) to connect the tool mount (22B) to the clamp (21B).

With reference to Figs. 13 and l3A, the hanging elements (30A) are attached to the rear side of the back board (1 lA), and each hanging element (30A) having a hanging board (3 IA), two base hooks (32A) and a panel hook (33A).

The hanging board (3 lÀ) has a top, a bottom, a front side attached to attached to the rear side of the back board (I lÀ) and a rear side. The base hooks (32A) are formed respectively on the top and bottom of the hanging board (31 A), protrude from the front side of the hanging board (3 lÀ) and are mounted over and hook on a top edge and a bottom edge of the back board (I lÀ) in respective. The panel hook (33A) is formed on and protrudes from the rear side of the hanging board (31A)to be inserted into or engage a hole defined in a hanging panel or a wall.

To attach the hand tool rack onto a hanging panel or a wall, with reference to Figs. 9, 9A, 13 and 13A, the panel hooks (33A) are inserted respectively into holes defined in the hanging panel or the wall. Fasteners, such as bolts or nails are mounted through the hanging holes (11 lÀ) in the back board (1 lÀ) and into the hanging panel or the wall. Consequently, the hand tool rack can be held securely on the hanging panel or the wall.

With reference to Figs. 9, 11 to 13, 15 and 16, to hang tools (40A,50A), such as a screwdriver (40A,50A), wrench or the like on the hand tool rack, the shank (41A,51A) of a tool is inserted into and held on the tool mount (22A) of one of the tool holders (20A). Take a screwdriver (40A,50A) for an example, the shank (41 A,5 IA) of the screwdriver (40A,SOA) can be inserted into the tool mount (22A,22B) from the top of the tool holder (20A,20B) in longitudinal direction or via the opening (221A,221B) in a horizontal direction.

When the screwdriver (40A,SOA) is inserted into the tool mount (22A,22B) from the opening (22 IA,22 1B), the oblique guiding tabs (222A,222B) can provide a guiding effect to the shank (41A,5 lÀ) of the screwdriver (40A,50A) to allow the shank (41A,51A) into the opening (221A,221B) easily.

When the thank (41A.51A) enters the opening (221A,221B), the C-shaped tool mount (22A,22B) will be expanded to allow the shank (41A51A) entering into the tool mount (22A.22B). Consequently, the screwdriver (40A50A) can be securely held on the tool mount (22A,22B) of the tool holder (20A.20B) for storing or displaying.

When a user wants to use a tool, the tool is pulled outward from the top of the tool mount (22A,22B) directly or from the opening (221A,221B). When the tool is pulled out the tool mount (22A,22B) from the opening (22lA,221B), the tool mount (22A,22B) is expanded to allow the shank of the tool to escape from the tool mount (22A,22B). Accordingly, to take the tool into or out from the tool holder (20A,203) is easy and convenient. In addition, with the arrangement of the second parts having a thickness smaller than that of the first part of the tool mount (22A,22B). the tool mount (22A,22B) is easily expanded to allow the tool to enter into or escape from the tool mount (22A,22B).

Additionally, because the tool holders (20A20B) are slidable along the rail (l2A) on the back board (1 IA), the distance between adjacent tool holder (20A20B) is adjustable to fit with different kinds of tools. Thus, the hand tool rack in accordance with the present invention is versatile in use.

Furthermore, with reference to Fig. 9, because the tools can be put into the tool mounts (22A,22B) in a horizontal direction, so the distance between two adjacent hand tool racks on a hanging panel or a wall can be minimized.

Accordingly, more tools can be hung on the hanging panel or the wall with the compact arrangement of the hand tool racks.

Claims

Claimis): I. A hand tool rack comprising: a base (1OA) being elongated and having a back board (hA) having a front side and a rear side; and a rail (12A) being elongated and longitudinally formed on and protruding from the front side of the back board (1 lA); and multiple tool holders (20A) slidably mounted on the rail (12A) on the base (1OA) and each having a clamp (2 hA) mounted slidably on the rail (l2A) on the base (1OA); a tool mount (22A) being tubular, connected to the clamp (2 IA) and having a C-shaped cross section to define an opening (221A) in a side of the tool mount (22A) opposite to the clamp (2 IA); a first part having a thickness; and at least one second part having a thickness smaller than that of the first part; and two oblique guiding tabs (222A) respectively and obliquely formed on and protruding from two sides of the opening (22lA) of the tool mount (22A).
2. The hand tool rack as claimed in claim 1 further comprising two hanging elements (30A) attached to the rear side of the back board (I1A) and each having a hanging board (3 1A) having a top, a bottom, a front side attached to the rear side of the back board (hA) and a rear side; two base hooks (32A) formed respectively on the top and bottom of the hanging board (31A), protruding from the front side of the hanging board (3 IA) and respectively mounted over and hooking on a top edge and a bottom edge of the back board (I IA); and a panel hook (33A) formed on and protruding from the rear side of the hanging board (3 IA).
3. The hand tool rack as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the oblique guiding tabs (222A) of each tool holder (20A) respectively protrude outward from the sides of the opening (22 IA) of the tool mount (22A); each tool mount (22A) has two second parts formed respectively at the sides of the opening (22 lÀ); and each tool holder (20A) further has two lateral tabs (223A) respectively connected to the oblique guiding tabs (222A) and being parallel with the back board (I IA) of the base (1OA); two connecting tabs (224A) respectively connected to the lateral tabs (223A) and to the clamp (2 hA) of the tool holder (20A); and a reinforced tab (225A) laterally formed between and connected to the clamp (21A), the tool mount (22A) and the connecting tabs (224A).
4. The hand tool rack as claimed in claim I or 2, wherein each tool mount (22A) has two recesses (224) defined longitudinally in an inner surface of the tool mount (22A) to define two second parts on the tool mount (22A) respectively at positions in which the recesses (224) are defined.